The typical eye movement pattern in reading is one where the reader makes a sequence of left to right eye movements from one word to the next so that most words are fixated at least once. Words that typically do not receive a fixation are short, high-frequency function words, such as articles and prepositions.

The motion of an object that is defined by changes in luminance. An area of the brain thought to be important in the perception of motion. Motion aftereffect (MAE) The illusion of motion of a stationary object that occurs after prolonged exposure to a moving object.

The aperture problem is the fact that when a moving object is viewed through an aperture (or a receptive field), the direction of motion of a local feature or part of the object may be ambiguous.

Second-order motion: The motion of an object that is defined by changes in contrast or texture, but not by luminance. An object that is defined by changes in contrast or texture, but not by luminance.

Saccadic intrusions or oscillations: These saccades occur when patients are fixating in the eye primary position, or they may be superimposed during smooth pursuit. Examples include square wave jerks, macrosaccadic oscillations and ocular flutter/opsoclonus.

Saccadic deficiencies can be treated using vision therapy at any age, and it can help to improve reading speed and ability. Some of the treatments that might be used are monocular exercises done with a patch including charts, games, hitting a Marsden Ball, and doing eye stretches and jumps.

Nystagmus is most commonly caused by a neurological problem that is present at birth or develops in early childhood. Acquired nystagmus, which occurs later in life, can be the symptom of another condition or disease, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis or trauma.

For saccadic testing, one may place dots on the wall or ceiling at specified distances from each other (usually center and 10, 20, and 30 degrees off center) and then instruct the patient to look back and forth between the dots, keeping the head fixed.

Saccades are the quick movements of the eyes when you look quickly from one point to the next. Smooth pursuits is the movement used as we follow an object moving in space (eg watching a moving car on the road).

To improve your visual concentration, have a friend stand nearby and wave their hands erratically while you practice. Eye tracking is following an object with your eyes without much head motion. It is important with any sport that involves a fast-moving ball. Good eye tracking will improve balance and reaction time.

1) Vestibular Ocular Reflex (VOR) Exercises Move your head from side to side while keeping your eyes fixed on the stationary object directly in front of you.

An very simple illustration of the “Gaze Stabilization Exercises” is shown above. These are exercises aimed at improving vision while the head is moving, generally while viewing an earth stationary object. They consist of daily practice of exercises such as shown above, with many variants described below.

Semont Maneuver

1. Sit on the edge of your bed. Turn your head 45 degrees to the right.
2. Quickly lie down on your left side. Stay there for 30 seconds.
3. Quickly move to lie down on the opposite end of your bed.
4. Return slowly to sitting and wait a few minutes.
5. Reverse these moves for the right ear.

Always have a sturdy object such as a chair within reach just in case you feel wobbly.

1. One-leg stands. Stand straight.
2. Heel-to-toe walking.
3. Side-stepping.
4. Unassisted standing from a chair.
5. Tai chi.
6. Ankle pumping when you get out of bed.

Brandt-Daroff Exercise for Vertigo

1. Start in an upright, seated position.
2. Move into the lying position on one side with your nose pointed up at about a 45-degree angle.
3. Remain in this position for about 30 seconds (or until the vertigo subsides, whichever is longer). Then move back to the seated position.
4. Repeat on the other side.

Vertigo is commonly caused by a problem with the way balance works in the inner ear, although it can also be caused by problems in certain parts of the brain. Causes of vertigo may include: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) – where certain head movements trigger vertigo. migraines – severe headaches.

Many experts recommend that you try and sleep on your back, as the crystals within your ear canals are less likely to become disturbed and trigger a vertigo attack. If you happen to get up in the middle of the night, rise slowly as opposed to making any sudden movements with the head or the neck.